Pro football careers are surely among the shortest if not the shortest, on average, of any in the major team sports. When these careers end, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, many players struggle as they attempt to transition to new livelihoods, family responsibilities, and personal relationships. Entering the so-called real world after years in the bubble of special treatment and privilege is the focus of the authors’ study, which draws on the experiences of many ex-NFLers, including co-author George Koonce, who spent nearly a decade with the Green Bay Packers.
Here’s an excerpt from Is There Life After Football?:
“Players typically haven’t spent much time around the house during their playing days, and, according to their wives, they may not be fully ‘there’ when they are home. They haven’t been responsible for many household chores, and were minimally involved with childcare. After retirement, wives often demand that players do their fair share around the house – something a temporarily shamed and emotionally vulnerable player may resent. Players find out that being a good father requires more than simply hugging the kids on the field after a winning game. Being a good husband means more than bringing home a paycheck. Providing support, rather than receiving it, is a new and difficult role.”
